Lancashire sign Katich and Chanderpaul

Lancashire have moved to sign Simon Katich and Shivnarine Chanderpaul as replacements for Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara who has been ruled out on account of his extended international commitments.

Australian opener Katich will arrive in June and be available to play in the first half of the Twenty20 and also the Roses Match with Yorkshire. He will then link up with Australia for their series against Pakistan in England, being replaced by Chanderpaul who will remain with the club for the remainder of the season having had previous spells with Durham.

"Kumar was due to join up with the club after the completion of the World Twenty20 next month, but the prospect of the Asia Cup and Sri Lanka's potential programme meant that option would be no longer possible," said Lancashire cricket director Mike Watkinson. "The news meant we had to look elsewhere, and we are very pleased to have signed two world-class players in Simon and Shivnarine."

Head coach Peter Moore is thrilled to have found top-class replacements for Sangakkara. "While it was disappointing to learn that Kumar wasn't coming, it is fantastic that we have been able to secure the services of two world-class left-handed batsmen to keep the continuity within the side once Ashwell Prince departs," he said.